The DLR PPN Secretariat and Team was delighted to welcome 175 participants to Le Cheile – Together – DLR PPN Autumn Community Networking Event, which took place on Wednesday, the 8th of October, from 7 to 9pm in the Talbot Hotel, Stillorgan Road (the Shelbourne Suite).
The Agenda included:
6.45pm Registration opens
7.00 -7.20pm Networking and Refreshments
7.20pm Start of Meeting with Opening Address
7.20-7.50pm Guest Speakers
– An Cathaoirleach, Cllr. Jim Gildea
– DLR PPN Secretariat member, Sharon Perry – Launch of LGBTQI+ Guide to Supports and Information for the DLR Community
7.50-9.00pm Exhibitor Stands and Networking
8.15pm dlr Community Climate Action Grants Information Session (in a separate room)
9.00pm Meeting Closes
There were 16 exhibitor stands:
- dlr Community Department Grants
- DL Harbour Masterplan Consultation updates
- dlr Heritage Grants
- LGBT Ireland
- dlr Sports Partnership Grants
- Insurance for Community groups
- BHP/ Campion Insurance
- dlr Local Integration Team Updates
- Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Grants
- TUSLA Foster Services
- dlr Local Community Safety Partnership
- Insurance for Community Groups
- Arachas Insurance for Community Groups
- Dublin Rural Leader Funding
- Sustainable Energy Communities Mentors DLR
- dlr Biodiversity Initiatives
- dlr Environment Grants
- dlr Community Climate Action Fund
The PPN Secretariat and Team was delighted to welcome An Cathaoirleach, Cllr. Jim Gildea, who gave an opening address for the audience and thanked the DLR PPN Representatives ‘who sit on Council committees, SPCs, and other boards. They help bring the community voice into policy and planning. It’s voluntary, often behind-the-scenes work — but incredibly valuable.’
One important moment during the event was the Launch the Guide to LGBTQI+ Supports and Information for the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown (DLR) Community, by Sharon Perry, DLR PPN Secretariat member. The Secretariat and Team of the DLR Public Participation Network (PPN), have been looking forward to the opportunity to present this resource, which aims to provide information and support for LGBTQI+ individuals and allies living within our community.
This Guide came about as collaboration between the PPN, the County Council – Community Department, the Edify EDU in the Institute of Art, Design and Technology and LGBT Ireland. We are particularly grateful to the Community Department of the County Council for approaching the PPN last year with a proposal to collaborate on a project to help raise awareness and increase sensitivity about the LGBTQ+ Community in DLR.
Following the successful funding application to the Dormant Account Fund 2024, the PPN organised 6 training sessions and developed the Guide, through continued collaboration with the council and LGBT Ireland. This initiative helps progress Action 6.3 of the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy which is to Take measures to ensure that existing community infrastructure is inclusive and welcoming to LGBTI+ people. Read more about the LGBTQI+ Guide HERE.
The evening also included an information session on the dlr Community Climate Action Programme – Phase 2, which will be open from the 20th of October to the 15th of December 2025. The information session took place in the Merrion Suite.
On behalf of the DLR PPN Secretariat and the entire team, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all for attending the recent Information and Networking Event. Your participation and valuable contributions made the event a resounding success.
We hope that the event provided insightful discussions, opportunities for collaboration, and a deeper understanding of the exciting developments within the DLR PPN community. We look forward to continuing our work together and seeing the exciting outcomes of the connections made.
Acknowledgements: The event was partly funded by the dlr County Council Community Department and the Infrastructure and Climate Change Department.